Auriga had half-walked/half-jogged to her parent's manor, wanting to get the worse over with. Before long she was inside, shutting the heavy wrought iron door behind her. As she walked through the house trying to find her parents, her heart and mind raced, wondering what sort of punishment she would receive. She felt a pang in her heart when she found them sitting snugly around the fireplace. Before speaking, she tried to think of how to initiate the conversation.

"Father, Mother, I have received my Hogwarts letter."

Neither stirred; Auriga stood still in the doorway.

"Here it is," she mumbled, retrieving the envelope from the picnic basket. Her father stood up and started towards her. Auriga wanted to sink into the floor and hide.

"Thank you, Auriga. Anything else you wish to share with your mother and me?"

He startled her with his calmness, and Auriga blushed. "I'm sorry father, and I'm sorry mother. I should have stayed in Mr. Malfoy's backyard. It won't happen again." Her head hung in shame.

Her father opened the envelope and took out the two bits of parchment. After a long while he said, "All is forgiven if you keep to your word."

Auriga nodded thoughtfully. "Mr. Malfoy wants to celebrate," she added.

"Wonderful," said Mrs. Strangway, getting up from the couch and joining her husband and daughter at the doorway. "Go to their house and fetch Abril for me, Auriga. Volans, would you mind lighting a few candles?"

Auriga left without further instruction and found herself outside once again. When she reached the entrance to the Malfoy Manor, she knocked on the door three times. She heard the sound of muffled footsteps get louder and louder until they were just behind the door.

"Hello Auriga."

It was Mr. Malfoy, and he was holding the door open for her.

"Good afternoon Mr. Malfoy," she replied, bowing her head at him and walking inside.

"Has your mother sent you here?"

"Yes. She wanted to see Mrs. Malfoy."

Mr. Malfoy sighed. "I see, I see. She's sending a patronus to a few people at the moment. She's inviting guests to our little party this evening."

A "little party" to the Malfoys meant at least thirty pure-blood witches and wizards and their children. Auriga usually enjoyed Mrs. Malfoy's parties, as she was able to dress nicely. The only downfall was that she didn't know half of the people invited.

"Mrs. Malfoy will be pleased to see you again," he said. "Abril! Hydra would like to see you."

Mrs. Malfoy's voice sounded from the kitchen a few feet away. "Yes, dear." A faint crack followed shortly after.

Mr. Malfoy led Auriga to the living room. It was not much different than the Strangways'. The only source of light came from a crackling fireplace, which painted a faint orange glow on everything in the room. Lucius was staring into the flames. He didn't even move when Auriga sat down next to him.

For at least five minutes neither of them talked, but sat in repressed silence. A faint crack sounded from somewhere in the kitchen.

"I have Volans and Hydra with me," said Mrs. Malfoy, bringing Auriga's parents into the living room.

"Abraxas," Volans said, half hidden in the darkness, "I seek to discuss something with you." The two walked off. Mrs. Strangway smiled at Hydra.

"Shall we get Dobby to make dinner, Abril? It shan't be long until the guests start to arrive."

Auriga and Lucius were left alone.

"What's wrong?" Auriga asked.

"Nothing."

Auriga grumbled. "Fine. If that's how you want to be."

Lucius opened his mouth to retort but was interrupted by someone crashing through the fireplace. Auriga had clung onto Lucius so hard in fright, his wrists were turning blue. Auriga faintly recognized the person; she was the Mad Witch of Cheltenham.

"Sorry 'bout that!" She cackled at the children. "Where's your parents? Out killing a muggle I hope!" She continued to chuckle as she limped out of the room.

"I don't like her," Lucius whispered.

It didn't take long for the rest of the guests to arrive; Cygnus and Druella Black arrived with their three daughters Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa. Orion and Walburga Black had apparated just outside the door, with four-year-old Sirius and three-year-old Regulus. Both boys quietly played with eachother in the vast hallway. About five or so more witches and wizards came, neither of whom Auriga nor Lucius knew. So they kept to themselves in the empty livingroom until they were joined by the three Black sisters.

"Hogwarts, huh? You're going to like it there," Bellatrix said, sitting herself down in an armchair. "So long as you're placed in Slytherin. All the other houses are scum."

Andromeda sat down on the floor, looking strangely uncomfortable. Narcissa joined her.

Auriga smirked. "I want to be sorted into Slytherin. I won't take no for an answer."

"That's what I like to hear. Don't want to be fraternizing with Half-Bloods. Or worse. . ." She leaned over, her eyes glowing, and whispered, ". . . mudbloods."

The five children started to laugh.

Auriga turned to Andromeda. "You're in Slytherin also, right?"

Andromeda looked up from her hands and smiled. As she started to reply, Bellatrix cut her off.

"Would've disowned her if she wasn't. I've already told Narcissa that I'd tie her to a tree in the Forbidden Forest if she was put in any other house."

Narcissa shivered.

The five continued to talk about Hogwarts until they were called to dinner. The huge oak table was hidden under a mass of delicious food, hand-made by the Malfoy's house-elf, Dobby. Everyone sat down in throne-like chairs, happily conversing and eating. Halfway into dinner, Abraxas made a toast, and everyone cheered for the two young children. The Mad Witch hissed with delight and slapped her hands on the table. In the commotion, Auriga and Lucius looked at eachother and smiled.

One by one, people started to leave. At last, Auriga found herself hugging Lucius goodbye.

"See you tomorrow!"

"Bye!"

She walked back home with her parents and before she knew it, found herself lying in bed. She thought about Hogwarts and Slytherin and before long, drifted off into happy slumber.